Creating a structured environment is crucial for children’s development, and daily routines play a vital role in fostering this stability. A consistent daily schedule provides children with a sense of predictability and security, which are fundamental for their emotional well-being. Engaging children in the creation of their schedules is also a powerful tool for nurturing responsible decision making and self-management skills. By reflecting on their day and planning ahead, children learn to manage their emotions and make choices that support their well-being. To initiate this process with your child, consider using prompts like:
- “What activities are you looking forward to doing tomorrow? Let’s create a list together.”
- “We have a lot planned for today! Let’s take a moment to decide when we want to do each activity.”
- “Think about everything you accomplished today. What was the best part of your day? What are you excited about for tomorrow?”
Using a predictable daily schedule format can significantly enhance structure and contribute positively to your child’s social emotional learning journey.
The Power of Body Reset for Emotional Regulation
Our bodies and emotions are intrinsically linked. When children experience intense emotions, their bodies react in tangible ways. Practices like breathing exercises and gentle stretching are effective methods to help children develop self-awareness and improve self-management of their emotional responses. Numerous child-friendly breathing and stretching exercises are available, often incorporating visualization techniques to enhance engagement. For example, the SEL app, Wisdom : The World of Emotions, offers an Augmented Reality (AR) breathing exercise and a physical grounding game, as shown below, to guide children through these practices.
Integrating breathing or stretching exercises into your child’s day can be done in various ways. You might schedule them at specific times, such as before bedtime or as a break during homework. Alternatively, these exercises can be used reactively, whenever you or your child feel they would be beneficial in managing emotions. Here are some prompts to guide you in incorporating body resets:
- “I’ve noticed you seem (upset, distracted, tired, experiencing strong emotions…). Would you like to try a breathing exercise with me?”
- “It’s been a long day. How about we prepare our bodies and minds for bed with some relaxing stretches?”
- “I think we could focus better on this after we reset our bodies. Would you prefer to do some breathing or stretching?”
By incorporating both structured daily schedules and body reset techniques, you can provide your child with valuable tools for social emotional learning, setting them up for greater emotional well-being and success.
